Letter: Recommend Bikeshare Station Locations in the University Boulevard Corridor Plan

WABA has asked Montgomery Planning to recommend specific Bikeshare station locations as part of the University Boulevard Corridor Plan.

You can view this document in PDF form here.

N’kosi Yearwood
Jessica McVary
Montgomery Planning

Re: University Boulevard Corridor Plan – Preliminary Recommendations

November 26, 2024

Mr. Yearwood, Ms McVary,

We at the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) are glad that the University Boulevard Corridor (UBC) Plan – Preliminary Recommendations (10/24) include, “Implement a connected network of comfortable walkways and low-stress bicycle facilities, and right-size roadways and intersections to create a safer and more comfortable environment for people who are walking, rolling, bicycling, riding transit, and driving.”

This recommendation is completely consistent with our work, calling out that a) Wheaton, at the western end of the UBC, is a priority area WABA identified in our 2022 Equitable Bikeways Proposal, b) we have made safety and bikeability improvements along major transit corridors including University Blvd./MD 193 a focus of our Complete State Roads initiative, c) we have strongly urged creation of master-planning bikeways along Colesville Road/US 29, which intersects University Blvd. in the Four Corners area, and d) the stretch of University Blvd./MD 193 southeast of the UBC is a phase 2 route for improvements under the MDOT State Highway Administration’s Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP).

A second UBC Plan transportation-category point is “Support opportunities for micro-mobility, bike share, and electric charging stations.” To advance this recommendation, we ask that Montgomery Planning make specific Bikeshare station recommendations as part of the UBC Plan working draft. The new UBC stations would serve local residents and visitors and of course extend the Bikeshare system, which benefits from a “network effect”: the addition of new nodes boosts the value of the entire system, which expands convenient, green, local transportation options at very modest cost.

There are currently Bikeshare stations in downtown Wheaton, near the northwestern end of the UBC plan area. We recommend – and ask you to recommend – new Bikeshare stations as part of the plan:

In two or three locations in Four Corners. Four Corners is a Montgomery County Bicycle-Pedestrian Priority Area (BiPPA), and there's also currently a station to the northeast along US 29, in the Burnt Mills area. The connecting corridor is also a BiPPA. We suggest stations at/near the Woodmoor Shopping Center and at/near Montgomery Blair High School and at/near the Safeway on University Park West.
Near Northwood High School, close to University Blvd. and Arcola Ave.
In/near the Kemp Mill Shopping Center, which is within the UBC Plan area and just off the Sligo Creek Trail. We note that Arcola Ave connects the shopping center with the Wheaton Rec Center on Georgia Avenue, which has a Bikeshare station.
On University Blvd. at Wheaton Forest Local Park, serving local residents and park visitors.

Thank you for including bicycling infrastructure in the University Boulevard Corridor Plan preliminary recommendations and for considering our request that Montgomery Planning make specific Bikeshare station recommendations as part of the UBC Plan working draft.

Sincerely,

Seth Grimes, Maryland Organizer

seth.grimes@waba.org

copy: Jason Sartori, Planning Director

More about Bikeshare expansion

Capital Bikeshare (CaBi) is a bicycle-sharing system that serves Washington, D.C., and neighboring Maryland and Northern Virginia counties and municipalities. Bikeshare provides an easy, affordable, green transportation option that complements walking and transit use and is itself a great way to get around. WABA promotes and is working to encourage the expansion of DMV bicycle sharing including via new Bikeshare stations at transit hubs, commercial and residential centers, and close to amenities.

More about Advocacy

WABA fights for a region where biking, walking and transit are the best ways to get around.

We educate policymakers and organize grassroots advocates for to speak up for safer places to bike and walk; and for laws and policies that protect people who are walking and biking, reduce dangerous driving, and facilitate changes to the built environment.